I would like to know your opinions on the contention that aikikai is not a style, but an umbrella under which many people can find association. My aikido was predominantly aikikai, but, whenever I visited other schools I saw profound differences in philosophy as well as in technique. So, would you consider aikikai a style, or something else. Or is it just a matter of the, "How many aikidoka does it take to change a lightbulb?" thing.
Answer: Eleven. One to change the lightbulb and 10 to remark on how they do it differently in their dojo.

In aiki,

akiy

08-25-2000 10:10 AM

I consider "Aikikai" to be more of an organization than a "style."

I hate using the word "style," but there are a lot of folks with differing opinions on how to teach in the aikikai. Some teachers say we must kiai during our techniques. Others say that we must always move 45 degrees off the line and move as though we were doing iaido. Others will contend that there is no "style" in aikido and that we must all find what works for us.

And so on.

Have you ever been to Aikikai Hombu Dojo and witnessed the very big variety of teachers there? It's pretty interesting...

-- Jun

MikeE

08-25-2000 02:02 PM

Jun,
Nope. Haven't made it to Japan, yet. But, I know what you mean with the variety of techniques that fall under aikikai "curricula" that look completely different when demonstrated by different instructors. You can see that even in our high ranking "domestic" instructors.

I really don't like the term "style" either. But, organization may not exude the connotation we need.
How about a thread on defining aikikai?
That may be interesting.

Dan Hover

08-27-2000 11:22 AM

akiy wrote
I consider "Aikikai" to be more of an organization than a "style."

I hate using the word "style," but there are a lot of folks with differing opinions on how to teach in the aikikai. Some teachers say we must kiai during our techniques. Others say that we must always move 45 degrees off the line and move as though we were doing iaido. Others will contend that there is no "style" in aikido and that we must all find what works for us.

right again, Aikikai simply means Aiki Association, so it would seem to be a rather diverse group of teachers and students all with their personal flair and way of doing things and the odd thing is that they are all correct.